AHIMA recently updated several of its practice briefs, which are available online in the AHIMA Body of Knowledge. Check out the following updated practice briefs: “Managing the POA Reporting Process (Updated)” provides an overview of the POA indicator and a checklist to help organizations manage compliance with POA reporting requirements. It replaces the November 2007 practice brief “Planning for Present on Admission.” “Developing a...

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released a final rule Friday establishing the temporary program for EHR certification under the meaningful use incentive plan. The rule establishes the means by which EHR products will be certified for use in the program. [June 24: official publication occurred today in the Federal Register.] Organizations will apply to become ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies in a...

When the Office of the National Coordinator announced the development of NHIN Direct, many involved with creating state-level health information exchanges (HIEs) wondered where it left their organizations. NHIN Direct, expected to begin testing this summer, will offer secure, point-to-point information exchange over the Internet for simple transmissions that may currently be handled via fax or mail, such as referrals. The proposal,...

The California Department of Public Health has issued its second set of fines to hospitals for privacy breach violations since the state passed groundbreaking legislation in 2008 to protect the confidentiality of medical records. Five California hospitals were fined a total of $675,000 for failing to prevent the unauthorized access of patient medical information, according to a CDHP press release issued June 10. In total, 32 employees...

HIPAA gave consumers the right to request that covered entities restrict certain disclosures of their protected health information, but it did not require covered entities to comply. ARRA does—in certain situations. ARRA also expands patients’ rights to an accounting of disclosures. How well do you know the new provisions? Test your knowledge with the following scenarios. Select the one best answer; each correct answer is based...